Palestinian National Council: US decision of date to transfer embassy to Jerusalem is “blatant defiance towards the international, Arab, and Islamic will”

Official Palestinian Authority TV
-
Feb. 24, 2018

Official PA TV News, on the Palestinian National Council’s response to the decision of US President Donald Trump’s administration to transfer the US embassy to Jerusalem on May 14, 2018, on the 70th anniversary of Israel's declaration of independence

Official PA TV newsreader: “The Palestinian National Council (i.e., the legislative body of the PLO) considered the American administration’s declaration on the execution of its decision to transfer its embassy to occupied Jerusalem as blatant defiance towards the international, Arab, and Islamic will, and as an intensification of the aggression towards the rights of our people. The Council emphasized that the American administration’s insistence on carrying out the aggressive decision proves again that it has chosen isolation and to distance itself from peace in favor of the occupation, and has made it responsible for the consequences of this. The Council demanded that the Arab and Islamic nation defend Jerusalem and its holy sites, and harness their full abilities and connections in order to prevent the execution of this decision…
[The Council] pointed out that the transfer of the embassy at the same time as the anniversary of the Nakba (i.e., “the catastrophe,” Palestinian term for the establishment of the State of Israel. The US embassy is set to open on May 14, the anniversary of Israel’s declaration of independence. Palestinians mark Nakba Day on May 15 -Ed.) was meant to add to the contempt for the national sensibilities of our people who are confronting the occupation’s terror and its settlers.”Click to view bulletin

US recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel - On Dec. 6, 2017, US President Donald Trump formally recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and instructed the State Department to begin preparations to transfer the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump added that the final borders of Jerusalem will be determined during negotiations.
On Feb. 23, 2018, the US State Department announced that the US embassy will open in Jerusalem on May 14, 2018. The date is the anniversary of Israel's declaration of Independence according to the Gregorian calendar.

Palestinians commemorate Nakba Day on May 15, the day after the establishment of Israel. On May 15, 1948, combined forces from Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Iraq joined local Arab forces in an attempt to eradicate the newly established State of Israel. The Nakba (Arabic = catastrophe) refers to the establishment of Israel, and the subsequent loss of the war, including the killing and displacement of Arab civilians that occurred during the war.